May 04, 2025

#1147 The TRISS Approach to AI Melissa Reeve

11 minutes

Yes, we’re talking about AI again because, let’s be honest, it’s everywhere, everyone is using it and most people are using it wrong. It’s easy to feel like you’re just throwing AI at problems without a real plan. That’s why I was excited to talk to Melissa Reeve, an expert in agile marketing, about her TRISS framework—a simple way to decide where AI can make the biggest impact in your business.

If you’ve ever caught yourself bouncing from one AI tool to another, hoping something sticks, Melissa calls that “random acts of AI.” And just like random acts of marketing, they rarely lead to success. Instead, the TRISS framework (Time, Repetition, Importance, Satisfaction, and Standardization) gives business owners a way to filter through the hype and focus on AI applications that actually save time and improve efficiency.

Here are the key takeaways from our conversation:

Time Matters – If a task doesn’t take much time, it’s probably not worth automating. But if something eats up hours of your week, AI might be the perfect solution. Before jumping in, do a quick cost-benefit analysis.

Repetition is Key – AI works best for tasks you do over and over again. Think about activities like writing social media posts or summarizing documents. The more predictable the process, the better AI can handle it.

Importance and Risk – Not every task is created equal. If something is high-stakes (like legal or financial summaries), you may want to keep AI in the background and add a human review step. But for low-risk tasks, AI can be a huge time-saver.

Satisfaction Counts – We all have those tedious tasks we dread. If something drains your energy, it’s a great candidate for automation. But if it’s a task you love and excel at, AI might not add much value.

Standardization Simplifies Everything – AI thrives on consistency. If your process follows a clear set of steps, it’s easier to automate. The more standardized your workflow, the better AI can support your business.

Melissa’s advice is clear: AI isn’t about jumping on the latest trend—it’s about making smart choices that help you work more efficiently. If you start by evaluating your tasks with the TRUST framework, you’ll avoid random acts of AI and focus on real improvements that free up time for what truly matters.

Want to learn more? Check out Melissa’s free five-day email course on identifying high-impact AI use cases and follow her on LinkedIn for even more insights.

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By Lorraine Ball